Electronic faucet with spatial orientation control system

Abstract

A faucet is provided that electronically controls the flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a faucet body and a faucet handle. The faucet illustratively includes an inertial motion unit sensor mounted in the faucet handle to sense spatial orientation of the faucet handle. The faucet illustratively includes an electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a controller configured to receive signals from the inertial motion unit sensor and control the electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed based upon the position of the faucet handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A faucet comprising:
 a faucet body; 
 at least one faucet handle movable with respect to the faucet body; 
 an inertial motion unit sensor mounted entirely in the at least one faucet handle to sense spatial orientation of the faucet handle; 
 an electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed; and 
 a controller configured to electrically control the electronic flow control system, wherein the controller receives signals from the inertial motion unit sensor to adjust at least one of the flow volume and the temperature of water being dispensed based upon the position of the at least one faucet handle. 
 
     
     
       2. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the inertial motion unit sensor includes at least one of a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or an accelerometer. 
     
     
       3. The faucet of  claim 1  comprising two faucet handles, wherein the inertial motion unit sensor is mounted in only one of the faucet handles. 
     
     
       4. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the inertial motion sensor is capable of sensing spatial orientation along two axes. 
     
     
       5. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic flow control system includes an electronic valve configured to control a first water flow feature and wherein the controller is configured to control flow through the electronic valve based on a signal from the inertial motion unit sensor. 
     
     
       6. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to substantially continuously check for an interrupt from the inertial motion unit sensor to read the inertial motion unit sensor for controlling the electronic flow control system to adjust the flow volume and/or temperature of water. 
     
     
       7. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic flow control system can mix the water from water supply inlet hoses to provide a desired water temperature. 
     
     
       8. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is located below a sink deck. 
     
     
       9. The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to provide information to the user regarding the position of the inertial motion unit sensor. 
     
     
       10. The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is capable of communication with a separately located user interface. 
     
     
       11. The faucet of  claim 10 , wherein the separately located user interface is displayable via a separate display device, the separate display device being selected from a phone, tablet, electronic device, or home automation system. 
     
     
       12. A faucet comprising:
 a faucet body mounted on a sink deck; 
 a first faucet handle mounted on the sink deck; 
 a second faucet handle mounted on the sink deck; 
 an inertial motion unit sensor mounted entirely in the first faucet handle to sense spatial orientation of the first faucet handle; 
 an electronic flow control system located below the sink deck to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed; and 
 a controller located below the sink deck configured to electrically control the electronic flow control system, wherein the controller receives signals from the inertial motion unit sensor to adjust at least one of the flow volume and the temperature of water being dispensed based upon the position of the first faucet handle. 
 
     
     
       13. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the inertial motion sensor is capable of sensing spatial orientation along two axes of rotation. 
     
     
       14. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the inertial motion unit sensor includes at least one of a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or an accelerometer. 
     
     
       15. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein a first water flow feature and a second water flow feature are selected from a water temperature, a water flow rate, and how much water to be released. 
     
     
       16. The faucet of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic flow control system includes an electronic valve configured to control the first water flow feature and wherein the controller is configured to control flow through the electronic valve based on a signal from the inertial motion unit sensor. 
     
     
       17. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to substantially continuously check for an interrupt from the inertial motion unit sensor to read the inertial motion unit sensor for controlling the electronic flow control system to adjust the flow volume and/or temperature of water. 
     
     
       18. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic flow control system is contained within a flow control box, wherein the controller is positioned outside of the flow control box. 
     
     
       19. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic flow control system is contained within a flow control box, wherein the controller is positioned inside of the flow control box. 
     
     
       20. The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is capable of communication with a separately located user interface, and wherein the separately located user interface is displayable via a separate display device, the separate display device being selected from a phone, tablet, electronic device, or home automation system.